All Things Bright and Beautiful - Manage the Creation Garden

Europeana rose, framed by Bermuda grass.

We enjoyed heavy rains and a long follow-up rain on Saturday. Now all the containers for rain are filled and overflowing, and more rain may arrive in a few days. This is a good time to put the extra rain on favorite roses and any plants that need additional water and fertilizer.

I carpeted the bird-feeding area with new cardboard, which was thoroughly soaked by that rain. The other garden next to the house - reserved for Hosta and blueberries - was carpeted by our helper just before a windstorm, then rains, so opportunistic Bermuda grass is popping up where the cardboard inched over - in spite of every weight I could find as that storm developed.

The bird-feeding area has one layer of leaves on it. I told our Army Ranger that I wanted the leaves he was raking up. Later that day he delivered four large bags. I need four more to cover that portion of cardboard.

I used to think I was feeding the soil creatures with this treatment, and that is a good marker by itself. Earthworms thrive where the soil is rich - and make it even richer, sweeter, mixed, and tunneled. But now I am more focused on the soil microbes.

The microscopic creatures are the foundation for all soil life, animals and plants alike. Bacteria are so prolific that they would take over the entire planet in a few days if nothing stopped them. That is why we take fungal products when we have infections.

Bacteria are also created and engineered to live and digest food in the earthworm gut. Earthworms can shred and grind as they tunnel through soil. They can give off Caltrate and nitrogen products, and even concentrate other minerals in their castings. But bacteria do the digesting.

I do not have to decide who does what, because this is under constant management by the Creator. I may toss a wad of lawnmower droppings under the Crepe Myrtle bush one day, rotten wood the next, and bush clippings the next. This will happen:

• Bacteria will work on the green, juicy grass.
• Molds will form on the plant matter to devour the more complex chemicals. 
• Fungus strands will deliver food and moisture to the plant's root hairs, getting carbon in return.
• Spiders will cast nets across the mulch to snare insects.
• Earthworms will come up from below to shred plants, work on the cellulose, and leave castings (worm manure).
• Various composting creatures - like centipedes, millipedes, and pillbugs - will eat and be eaten. No one is spared, no, not one. They rise from the soil and return in another form.
• The mole will visit and sample earthworms and grubs.

1. Our God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Thy word commands our flesh to dust:
"Return ye sons of men!"
All nations rose from earth at first
And turn to earth again.

6. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

7. Like flowery fields the nations stand,
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower's hand
Lie withering ere 'tis night.

8. Our God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guard while troubles last
And our eternal Home!

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #123
Text: Ps. 90
Author: Isaac Watts, 1719, ab.
Composer: William Croft, 1708
Tune: "St. Anne"

Heavenly Jewels  - By Norma Boeckler

All Things Bright and Beautiful
Music: 17th century melody, arr. by Susan I. Lindquist
Words: Cecil Francis Alexander.

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.
The purple-headed mountain, The river running by,
The sunset and the morning, That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one;

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.